remembering Aaron  / Gene & Ginny Bowers (Friends of Amanda & Aaron )
We will always remember last month when you were at my house for Mandy's party- you in the kitchen, going through the cabnets finding all the right spices so the home made pizza's would be just right.  All the time you helped Mandy with Coco, Max & Sammy.  We know how much you loved them. Forever will you be remembered for you kindness and caring of God's creations.  Gift's such as these are easily spoken of but rarely understood.  May you find the peace that you are searching for.  Close

Peace be with you.........  / Amy Poparad (Neighbor)
Janice,
You two are in my thoughts and prayers.  Your neighbors of picture ridge are here for you - . Close

Aaron's Spirit  / Karen Carter (friend of Amanda and Aaron )
Aaron, may your spirit fill the darkness of the heavens. May it fill the endless yearning of your soul. You will live on a star too far between us. You live within our hearts and within our souls. You are the fire and the wings that fly us home. You will be very missed by all who knew you. God speed to everyone's healing.
Karen:) Close

Thoughts and Prayers  / Debra Baxter (Friend of Janice & Jim, Unity Church of Peoria )
Janice & Jim, my thoughts and prayers are with you.  I'm thankful you're blessed with many joyful memories of Aaron. Debra Close

Our Hearts Break for You, Aaron's Parents and Amanda  / Dean & Wendy Peyton (Parents of Ashley Elliott )
We met Aaron through our daughter Ashley.  He was a welcomed guest in our home, that always added an extra spark to the kids gatherings.  We will miss him. Close

condolences / Patti Mueller (Friend of Aaron's father )
I am so sorry for you loss. My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family. Close

My condolences  / Gary (former coworker )
My thoughts are with you at this time of sadness.  Aaron was a treat to know. Close

Aaron, a Wonderful Young Man  / Laura Drassler (Teacher and Friend )

Aaron was a student of mine for two years in my honors level English classes at Woodruff.  I enjoyed his wry sense of humor and sharp intellect.  One of the funniest times I can remember is when Aaron and Tim Johnson dyed their hair like Easter eggs during their sophomore year.  I have saved some of Aaron's writing and will be giving it to his mom.  Every year I would read aloud to my senior class Aaron's literary analysis paper on the novel, Frankenstein.  I used his essay as an example of what a very well done paper covers.  Aaron and I became reptile buddies when I adopted some baby turtles.  He came over to the house and helped me set up an aquarium for them.  He knew everything about turtles.  A couple years ago I adopted a baby Sulcata tortoise and Aaron had one too. We would always "turtle talk" whenever we saw one another.  Former students grow up and become adults, but in my mind they are always the teenagers that came into my room to visit me when they were home from college.  Aaron always came in to visit with Tim.  My heart goes out to his family and to Tim who has lost his best buddy.  I know Aaron loved his family very much because he told me how much he missed the daily interaction with his Mom once he had gone off the college in Wisconsin.  He was so proud of Katie's success too.  I printed out several of the pictures of Aaron and Tim from this Web page.  I have the lovely one of Aaron holding a butterfly displayed on my desk.  God Bless.  I will always keep a special place in my heart for all my memories of Aaron and his friends. Drass

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Saying goodbye to Aaron  / Doris Muller (Neighbor)

Aaron touched my life briefly.  We shared in loving a small black and white dog--Sadie.  I rescued Sadie and took care of her medical needs.  When Aaron moved into my neighbor and learned that Sadie would be up for adoption, he came to see her and he fell in love with her, and, consequently, adopted her.  Sadie went to live with Aaron and Amanda October 4, 2005.

I am deeply saddened by his lose, and I join with all his family and friends in mourning.  He was a gentle young man with a special heart of kindness.  Because of our special connection, I will never forget him.

In deepest sympathy,
Doris Muller

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Sorry to hear of your loss  / Ron Parisi (Acquantance of Thomas Cook )
My deepest symapthy to you at this time of loss.  You have my thoughts and prayers.  Ron Parisi Close

Our Deepest Sympathy  / Carmen Carothers (Acquaintance of Thomas Cook )
No words could ever express the pain of losing a child.  Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.   Carmen Carothers & Family Close

Tribute to Aaron  / Sandy Welsh (Amanda's Mom )
I want to share with all of Aaron's family just how much Aaron meant to our family.  From the time Aaron came into Amanda's life he was a member of our family.  Through every holiday and family gathering he was there with his bright cheer, smiling face and laughter.  It felt as though he was born into our family and touched everyone of us.  He fell in love with Connor from the day he was born and Connor cherished him.  Connor loved to have Aaron read his Richard Scarry books to him.  We will never forget how thrilled Aaron was when Connor finally called him Aaron instead of making a grunting noise.  We will make sure that Connor remembers Aaron as he grows up.  Lee and Rich will always treasure their older brother.  They could always count on Aaron.  His friendship, his comedy and his help were just some of the things they cherished.  Aaron's "other" grandparents- Pat, Dick and Gini will always remember the good times with Aaron.  One of the funniest moments we remember is Aaron trying to teach Pat how to cross her eyes.  And Aaron making his lizard face.  Ed and Aaron were like old buddies.  They would sit and talk about cars, engines and all the stuff guys talk about.  They shared their love of exotic imported beers and conversation.  They enjoyed tinkering on cars, getting dirty and being together.  Ed loved being a father figure to Aaron.  I have a special place in my heart for Aaron.  He was a son to me.  I could call him for the dumbest things and he was there for me.  Like calling him for his help with turning on the gas grill.  After coming to the house and fiddling with the grill only to have Aaron shake his head and tell me it was already on.  I really can't put into words how much Aaron meant to each and every one of us.  He truly was a son to Ed and I, a brother to Lee and Rich, an uncle to Connor and the love of a lifetime to Amanda.  We will forever hold him in our hearts and be thankful for him being in our lives.  We will forever be grateful for the tender love he shared with all of us.  He is forever in our hearts. Close

In our thoughts and prayers  / Crystal And Nick Clayton (Friends of Aaron's Sister Katie )

It is our prayer that your family find God's comfort and peace during this difficult time.  You are in our thoughts.

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Memories of the heart  / Rachele & Collin Ernest (Friends of Aaron )
In many big and small ways, Aaron changed our world for the better, and touched too many hearts to ever be forgotten. Close

God Bless You and Your Family  / God Bless

God Bless Aaron

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Wishing you Peace  / Shirley Pullar (Friend of Aaron's father, Thomas )
My deepest sympathy to all of you during this difficult time.  At night, look to the sky, for perhaps they are not stars but small openings so our loved ones can look down and let us know they are happy.  Peace be with you. Close

Heartfelt symphathy  / Jeanine Stimeling (Grandmother Tom & Dan Stimeling )

My memories are of Aaron and his cross county days at WHS when he ran with Dan and Tom.  He was such a funny guy and good person.  I remember when he shaved his head, his bleached locks, etc.  My prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time.

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With Deepest Sympathy  / Stephanie Frazee (Friend of Aaron and Amanda )

To Aaron's Family and Friends:

Words can't express just how sorry I am for your loss.  Aaron was truly an incredible person and enriched the lives of each person he met.  I am a better person having known him.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and countless friends.  He was truly one of the greatest people I have ever met - brilliant, funny, caring, passionate, creative - so caring.  I feel fortunate to have known him and to have such wonderful memories of him.   

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Turn hurt to smiles  / Tim Geisler (Devon's uncle )

  
Don't cry, frown or wonder why.

Negative feelings amplify pain.

Take the love, hugs and  smiles Aaron gave you and share them with those you love and unexpecting strangers.

Pass on a smile in memory of Aaron

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Thinking of You  / Maria Diaz (Woodruff Faculty )
To the family of Aaron, 

The Diaz family wishes to extend our deepest sympathies to the Cook Family.  May the memories of Aaron ease your pain.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.  
God Bless you all. 

Maria, Rigoberto, Andres and Felipe Diaz Close